Jeannie Hayes, 'Little China Doll'

[duathir.livejournal.com]

Little China Doll

Hey little china doll, why don’t I see you smile?
‘They took away my toys and made me run for miles.'
So little china doll, why the great big frown?
‘they dragged me from my bed, to dig up frozen ground.’
Well, my little china doll, why don’t you ever speak?
‘try that ‘round here, they’ll isolate you for a week.’
But little china doll, what do they feed you in that quarter?
‘Just a slice of plain bread and cup of luke warm water.’
What, little china doll, does go on with you?
‘They froze my heart and they will yours too;
They’ve hit me with their fists of broken glass
And till this day, the nightmares last.
So tell me little china doll, how do you survive?
‘There’s only one place where a little girl can hide;
There are places in my mind, where they can never go.
They really resent that, you’d be shocked to know.
Dear little china doll, you seem like walking dead.
‘That I am; everywhere except inside my head.’
How do you know china doll, that you did survive?
‘I cut myself every week to feel if I’m alive.’
You’re much too broke for me to fix, little china doll;
Your mind is strong but your heart so very cold.
‘Just throw me back on the heap, they have since I was ten years old.'

By Jeannie Hayes

[Australian Human Rights Commission: Journeys & Homecoming - Us Taken-Away Kids: commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 'Bringing them home' report]